Mining-machine truck



N. D. LEVIN. MINING MACHINE TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1919.

Patented May 17, 1921. 4 SHEETS-SII EET l.

IN VEN TOR mea/9M ATTORNEY o o O O OOO .WANN

N. D. LEVIN.

MINING MACHINE TRUCK.

APPLICATION man Nov. 15, |919.

1,378,858. Patented May 17,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR WJTNESSES N. D. LEVIN.

MINING MACHINE TRUCK.

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' MINING MACHINE TRUCK. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 15, 1919.

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NILS D. LEVIN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MIN ING-MACHINE TRUCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 17, 1921.

Original application led February 23, 1915, Serial No. 9,972. Renewed July 15, 1920, Serial No. 396,590.

Divided and this application led November 15, 1919. Serial No. 338,205.

To all whom 'it may conce/m.'

Be it known that I, NiLs D. LEviN, a citizen of the United States, residing' at Columbus, in the' county of lFranklin land State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining-Machine Trucks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in vehicles of the truck class, particularly trucks of ther sort which includes those that are used in mines for transporting machines from one room to another, where mining operations are being carried on.

These mining machines, as is now well known in some cases, are exceedingly heavy and cumbersome, and they must be manipulated in restricted rooms which are of only a few feet in vertical dimensions, and in entries or passageways which are not only similarly low, but are restricted in horizontal dimensions. The machines must be used at a relatively low level, lower thanv the supporting floors or platforms of the trucks on which they are transported. The object of the invention is to provide a truck which will supporta heavy mechanism in a relatively elevated horizontal plane for purposes of transportation, and which shall have its parts so constructed and arranged that the machine can be unloaded by power and let down to a lower working level; and then elevated to the higher position on the truck.

In the -drawings I have shown a mechanism embodying my improvements.

Figure 1 is a side view of the complete apparatus, showing the component parts of the truck in the relative positions occupied after the machine has been removed from above the wheel base and lowered.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the truck, and the several parts connected therewith when they are assembled in the relative positions occupied during transportation.

Fig. 4. is a plan view of the lower element of the rear section of the truck.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the upper element of the rear section, and showing also the front section of the truck, and the loadcarrying pan.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6, 6 of` Fig. 3, the mining machine not being shown.

Fig. 7 is a partial side elevation, partl in section, of the lower element of the rear section of the truck.

8 is a partial side view showing the mining machine in the position occupied at the time the pan reaches the floor.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view of parts at the rear end of the mining machine, and ofthe pan, and showing the devices by which they are separably locked together.

Figs. 10` and 11 are fragmentary views showing details of the pan-supporting and guiding devices.

Figs. 12 and 13 are diagrammaticv views showing thepositioiis which the parts of the apparatus assume during the movements incident to removing the load from the truck, and letting it down to relatively low planes.

Iii the drawings I have shown my improved truck in the circumstances and conn ditions which are met with in using such ap aratus in coal mines.

is a rail track on a mine floor. To illustrate one of the uses for such a truck I have shown a mining machine B, thereon, it having cutting mechanism C, together with driving and feeding devices D, actuated by a motor to be referred to. The truck, indicated as an entirety by H, is provided with Wheels 9, 9, which fit the rails 10, and are carried by axles 7 and 8. The axles are mounted in bearings 6, 6, which are adjustable by screws 61. They are connected by sprocket wheels and chain 11. And the rear axle 8 is by chain 12 connected to sprocket wheel 12aL on a shaft 12b, the latter passing through a casing 5. The shaft 12, the casing and the adjacent and connected parts are mounted upon the lower element of the truck, to be more fully described below. y

`15 is a power pinion on a shaft 15a, which carries'also a b vel 15b, meshing alternately with pinions 1 c, 15d, loose on shaft 12b. 15e, 15f are disk clutches between the shaft 12b on'the one hand and pinions 15, 15d, respectively, n the other. By a lever 14 the clutches can be alternately engaged with the shaft. By another clutch 13, actuated by a lever 13, sprocket 12EL is connectible with shaft 12". Gears 15c and 15d, together with clutches 15e and 15.t constitute a reversing mechanism for reversing the motion transmitted to the track wheels through the parts described.

The wheels, the axles, etc., abovel referred to, support the truck mechanism indicated, as stated, by H, as an entirety. This mechanism may be regarded as comprising a rear truck section indicated, as an entirety, by E, a front or second truck section F, and an element G. The rear section E is here formed of two elements, the upper indicated by E2 and the lower by E1. The element G is a pan-like holder for the load and fitted to the sections E and F. The rear section E has a frame with longitudinal bars 1, 1 and cross 'bars 2, 3, 4, these being parts of the lower element E1.

Between the wheel carrying part of the structure and the third element or pan-like holder G are connectin devices which permit the pan to tilt vertically around one or another of its transverse lines and also permit it to be shifted laterally relatively to the longitudinal lines of the wheel frame, as I desire to move the load to or from the truc-k not only on lines parallel to the track, but on lines inclined thereto.

In order to embody means to secure the lateral adjustment of the pan I have divided the main or rear truck section, E, into two parts, as above mentioned, namely those indicated as entireties by E1 and E2, respectively, constructing and arranging them to permit the swinging horizontally of the upper element E2.

The lower part E1 not only carries the wheels, the axles, etc., as above stated, but comprises also the following:

16 is a metal plate secured to the truck frame and formed with a large circular aperture, and 17 is a spider bolted or riveted to the central part of this plate. 18, 18 are rollers mounted at the periphery of the spider on horizontal pivot pins 19, and 21, 21 are spokes carrying the apertured hub 22. The upper element E2 of the rear truck section, E, has the following parts:

20 is a metal plate resting on said rollers 18 and having flanged ring 23. 24 is a pivot block in the aperture in hub22 and fitting ring 23. This block 24 is held by bolt 24a, and is provided with .ange 26, engaging ring 23, to hold plate 20 and the connected parts against upward movement. Plate 20 has reinforcing angle bars 27 and brackets 27a secured thereto. 27b is a pivot in apertures at 28 in these brackets.

The front section of the truck comprises two side bars 29, a rear plate 30 and a front plate 30a. 30b are brackets on plate 3() to receive said pivot pin`27b. 31 is a rearward extending tail plate fastened to plate nism andcut'ter driving devices) above mentioned. At its front end it has rounded shoes 44. At its rear end are means to pivotally connect the pan with the forward end of the front truck section F. Preferably the pan G and the truck (including both the front section F and the rear section E) have telescopic engagement so that the pan can, while in engagement therewith, slide to or from the truck on predetermined lines, and can rest and be supported thereon. At the rear end the pan has hooks 45, 45, resting on and adapted to' slide along bars 29. When it is in its eXtreme position eX- tensions 46 on the hooks enter sockets 47 in shoes 32, providing a horizontal pivotal joint. If it is desired to hold the hooks in the sockets, optionally usable pins 48 are provided which can be inserted or removed, as desired.

Thepivotal connection between the inclined part F of the truck and the pan permits the latter to swing vertically, as occasion demands.

The extension 46 on. one of the castings 45 (the right hand one shown) in conjunction witha stop 46a on the truck serves to prevent horizontal movement of the machine when the parts are assembled for transportation. Stop 46EL extends between extension 46 and the corresponding bar 29 when the pan is in its rearmost position.

The invention to which this record relates is not limi''ed to a mining machine or cutting apparatus of any particular sort. It is to illustrate Lne advantages of the truck structure that a mining machine of a well-known sort is indicated in the drawings; and detailed description is not necessary. Suffice it to say, that 37 is the main frame of the mining machine and 38 the motor thereon, the cutting mechanism, proper, being indicated Aby 39. Power is transmitted through suitable driving gears 38, 38", 38c to the cutting apparatus. Current is supplied to the motor through a cable 53, one end of which has contact terminals engaging with brushes in electric circuit with a cable 52 wound upon and unwound from a reel 49, also carried by the lower element E1 of the truck.

40 is 'a slowly moving drum on shaft 40a driven by gearing at 40h, 40, 40d, 40B, and controlled by clutch 40t and handwheel 40g. 42 is a rapidly movable drum connected with the driving gear by a clutch at 42al and handwheel 42". 41 is a cable o n drum 40, and 43, a cable `on the drum 42. These cables are used for moving the machine bodily with suitable speed; sometimes moving it longitudinally relatively to the track as when taking it olf from, or onto the truck, and sometimes moving it laterally, as during a cutting operation. The cables are, respectively, when in use, carried around one or another of several guide sheaves 54, 54a (swiveling at 54h) 55, 55a, 58 and 59, respectively adapted to cause the desired movements of the machine in predetermined direction. When the machine is to be moved from the truck the cable 43 l(preferably because of its higher speed) is secured to one or another of hooks 56, on the front trucks F, or to one of the hooks 57 at the front end of the pan, the cable having at its end a ring or hook to engage with the hooks aforesaid. WhenA the machine is to be returned to the truck the cable can be secured to a hook or holder 60, carried by a suitable part of the truck.

During such movements the electric current, as aforesaid, passes through the cable 52 to the motor, the cable being extended more and more whenl the movement is in one direction and shortened or taken up when the movement is in the opposite direction. The pan G is long enough to support `the mining machine at either of several points, longitudinally, they being of approximately equal lengths. The machine is slidable along the pan, and when it is desired. to have the pan support the machine during operation, the latter is advanced until its movement is limited by stop 34a. The inward movement of the machine along the pan is limited by the castings 45, formed with surfaces 45a, for the purpose. At times it is desirable to lock the machine in its rear position on the pan, and for this a link 39 is provided at the rear of the machine, adapted to slip over a lug 39h on the pan. The lug has an aperture 39c adapted to receive one of the pans 48.

The mining machine can be taken out from the pan and used independently thereof for cutting, if occasion demands.

To lock the machine and the other parts in the position shown in Fig. 3 there is provided a latch 37a adapted to enter socket 27c on the upper element E2 of the rear truck section.

Fig. 3 shows the parts of the truck in the relative positions occupied by them during travel from place to place. The aforesaid wheel 15 on the truck engages a bevel gear 40b on the mining machine. Suitable clutches are provided for disconnecting the cutting apparatus during transportation. When the parts are assembled as shown, the motor on the machine transmits power to the gearing in the aforesaid casing 5, and thence through one or the other of the friction clutches to chain 12 and to the truck wheels the movement of the vehicle on the track being reversible -by the lever 14 and the clutches. The cable 52 is wound and unwound automatically by the well-known devices shown, a rope and sheaves 50, 51 or in any suitable manner.

A useful way 0f using a truck'mechanism such as shown will be readily understood. lt can be' advanced into a mine room or entry on track A to points near a coal face. The truck is then stopped and chain 12 or other track wheel driver is removed. A sufficient length of cable 43 is unwound from drum 42, passed around sheaves 54L and 55 (or 55a) and attached to hook 56. Power from motor 38 can then draw the machine forward a short distance. This disengages it from stop 46 and permits it to be adjusted about the vertical pivot. The pan G is thendirected along the desired lines', either straight ahead or on lines inclined to the track. The cable winding continues, and the machine and pan move farther outward, link 39a and lug 39b insuring the movement of the pan.' At a predetermined point of travel the machine and the pan swing downward by gravity about the axis at 27", both tilting into inclined positions relatively to the horizontal; and the front section of the truck at such time being also inclined. The winding of cable 43 under power continues, and the pan continues to move forward. When it reaches the ground it slides, at first, on the shoes 44, its rear end sliding down the inclined section F of the truck. Such movement can be con-A tinued until the machine is in horizontal position on the ground, and the pan also, when the parts are constructed and related as shown. As the inclined front section F of the truck is long enough to reach the Hoor, the pan is permitted to, as aforesaid, come to or approximate a horizontal position while still engaged. If it is desired to lock' the pan to the truck section F, pins 48, 48 are inserted, as described. When so locked the reaction thrust from the machine while working will be.transmitted to the truck. To take such thrusts the truck is locked by a jack 61, having its lower end in socket 24a in block 24 and its upperend against an outside abutment, such as the roof of the mine room. The truck is thus held 'firmly against bodily movement, but these holding devices do not prevent lateral swinging of the pan and of the machine thereon after the several main elements and their component devices have been thus positioned.

It will be seen that the machine and the pan can be used for either of several purposes. If the link 39HL be released and the feed cable 43 attached to a hook 57, the power from the motor will cause the advancing ofthe machine along the pan. If the cable be placed around the proper sov sheaves and secured to an external abutment, the pan and its load can be swung laterally.

If the mining machine be removed from the pan it can be used in the cutting of coal in the well-known way by employing the cable 41 and its drum 40 as feed devices, and the cable 43 and its drum 42 as guiding and retarding mechanism. When the cutting operation is carried on while the machine is on the pan no cable is required for guiding or retarding thel machine to balance it against the feed draft.

When it is desired to return the panand` its load to normal position on thetruck, cable 43 is again brought into use by passing it around sheave 59 and then back to hook 60 on' the truck. Pins 48 being removed the cable is wound and the machine drawn back until it engages with the pan itself, whereupon the latter slides up the inclined front truck section F. When the pan engages plate 31 it causes truck section F and its pivoting devices at 32, 46 to swing upward, and thereafter the moving of the pan backward continues until the center of gravity.

of the various parts is so positioned'that the front section F swings u p and the rear parts of the pan and the machine swing down to the predetermined horizontal planes. Then, if necessary, the pan can be swung around'to alinement with the track and the parts locked against displacement.

While I have herein shown a mining machine of a particular type, namely, one having a forward projecting and horizontally positioned kerf cutter adapted to be moved in a curvilinear path while operating, and also peculiar devices for connecting such a cutting apparatus to `the truck, I do not `include said particular cutting apparatus in the claims herein. I have presented claims for such cutting mechanism in combination with a truck similar to that herein shown in my earlier application filed February 23, 1915, originally numbered 9,97 2, renewed as 396,590, of which the present application is a division, the claims herein relating to a truck mechanism adapted to receive and transport any of numerous forms of machines.

Nor do I herein claim broadly Ia truck mechanism of the class of that here shown having a horizontally rotary elementJ carrying a guide for the mining machine and adapted 'tov direct such machine while moving off from the truck at any angle to the track and to guide it back to transportation position thereon, having presented claims for the novel features of such subject-matter in another application Serial Number 132,682, filed November 21, 1916. 'rhe mechanism herein shown comprises a guide system having as one of its sections a part Which can vibrate vertically in relation to the other parts and also a pan or holder which can reciprocate along the guideway with the mining machine supported thereon while reciprocating; and the claimsherein relate to these relatively specific features of construction.

What I claim is: Y

1. In a mining mechanism, a truck, a pan reciprocable thereon, and means for pivotallyconnecting said pan andtruck when the front end 4of the pan is passed 0E from said truck.

2. In a mining mechanism, a truck, a pan reciprocable thereon, and means for pivotally connecting said pan to said truck to permit movement vertically or laterally after a predetermined longitudinal movement of the an on the truck.

3. In a mining mechanism, a truck, an inclined pan supported thereon and leading thereto and means whereby as a machine is loaded on said truck said pan is reciprocated therewith.

4. In a mining mechanism, a truck, a pan thereon arranged to be laterally moved with respect to the longitudinal lines of the truck when in loading position, and means for automatically moving said pan to or from loading position by a machine resting there- Aon and moved relatively to the truck.

5. In a mining mechanism, a truck, havingv an end section adapted to be inclined downwardly, a pan reciprocable on said truck, and means for operatively connecting said pan to said end section as said pan is reciprocated.

6. In a mining mechanism, a truck having an end section adapted to be downwardly inclined, a pan reciprocable on said truck and means for .tilting said pan downward as it reciprocates and operatively connecting -the same to said end section;

`or unloaded on said truck.

9. In a mining mechanism, a truck having a portion adapted to be downwardly inclined, a. reciprocable pan normally carried on said truck and pivotally connectible with said portion and means for automatically reciprocating said pan as a machine resting thereon moves relativel to said truck.

10. In a mining mec anism, a truck having an end section adapted to be sloped, a

hool carried by said end section, and a pan havlng a member pivotally engageable with said hook, saidpan being lmovable about the hook in relation to said end section of the truck.

11. In a mining mechanism, a truck having an elongated rear end and a short front end, a reciprocable pan of substantially the length of the truck, a mining machine carried on said pan and means whereby after a limited reciprocation of said pan with the machine said pan is pivotally connected to the front end of said truck.

12. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of a rear section, a front section hinged thereto, a third section adapted to move longitudinally over the aforesaid sections and automatically acting stops for limiting the longitudinal movement thereof.

13. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of a rear section, a second section hinged thereto, a third section adapted to move longitudinally over the aforesaid sections and automatically acting stops at the forward end of the second section and the rear end of the third section.

14. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the rear section, a second section hinged thereto, a third section adapted to be positioned in front of the second section and to swing vertically in re lation thereto while engaging longitudinally therewith.

15. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of a rear section, a second section hinged thereto, a third section adapted to be positioned in front of the second section and to swing vertically in relation thereto, and means for separably engaging the third section with the second sec- 1on.

16. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination ofthe rear section, the second section Ahinged thereto and devices secured to each of the sections for separably connecting thereto respectively a flexible device for exerting draft upon the load movable over the sections.

17. In a truck mechaism of the class described, the combination of the rear section, the second section hinged thereto, the holder at the forward end of the second section for separably connecting a flexible draft device and a supplemental vertically fixed holder on the rear section for separably connecting said draft device thereto.

18. In a truck mechanism of the class de# scribed, the combination of the rear section, the second section hinged thereto b a horizontal pivot, and the third sect1on adapted to be hinged to the second section and to move vertically in respect thereto, the

second section and the third section each thereto a flexible draft device for moving the load over the said sections.

19. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the first section, the second section and the' third section each adjustable in relation to those adjacent and each provided. with means for detachably connecting a draft device thereto for moving the load thereon.

20. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the first section having an element rotatable horizontally on a wheeled support, means adapted to bear against an external abutment for locking it against longitudinal movement, and the second section hinged to the first section and adapted to be. positioned at an inclination in relation thereto.

21. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the first section having an element horizontally rotatable on a movable support, means adapted to bear against an external abutment for securing said element against longitudinal movement, and the second section connected to the first section to swing vertically in relation thereto.

22. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the first section having a horizontally rotating element comprising a vertically stationary holder for a mining machine and the second section connected to the said element and adapted to swing vertically in relation thereto.

23. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the first section having a horizontally swinging element, a second vertically swinging section connected to the said element of the first section, and a vertically swinging third section connected to the second section.

24. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the first section having'aV horizontally swinging element, a second vertically swinging section connected to said element of the first section, and a third element slidable longitudinally over the first and second sections.

25. In a truck mechanism of the class described, the combination of the first section having a lower wheeled element, power transmitting devices thereon for propelling said element, and having an upper element rotatable horizontally relatively to the lower element, and a second section connected, and vertically adjustable in relation, to the said first section.

26. In a mining machine, a truck, a pan thereon connectible for lateral movement with respect thereto when in loading position, and means for automatically` moving said pan to or from loading position by a machine moved relative to the truck.

27. In a mining machine, a truck having having means for separably connecting a pivot member adjacent its front end, a pan movable on said truck and having coperating pivot means engageable with said pivot member, and means whereby said pan is moved as a mining machine moves on or off said truck.

28. In a mining machine, a truck having a pivot member adjacent its front end, a movable pan having coperating pivot means engageable with said pivot member, and means whereby said pan is moved in opposite dircetions as a machine is unloaded or loaded on said truck.

29. In a mechanism, a truck having an elongated rear end and a Short front end, a movable pan of substantially the length of the truck, a mining machine carried on said pan, and means whereby after a limited movement of said pan with the machine said pan is pivotally connected to the front end of said truck.

In testimony whereof, I aHiX my signature.

NILS D. LEVIN. 

